Dr. Gail B. Crump received a BA and a BSE in English from Truman, graduating summa cum laude in 1964. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Arkansas, where he was selected a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Crump’s academic interests are in Modern British and American Literature, particularly fiction and drama.

A native of Kirksville, Dr. Crump, his twin brother, Gary, and younger brother, Jay all attended Truman and all eventually earned doctoral degrees – something he firmly believes would not have happened had he not lived in a town with an affordable, quality University. As an undergraduate, Dr. Crump was a member of College Players, Blue Key, Alpha Phi Omega, and other organizations. The relationships he developed with faculty, particularly Dr. Jim Severns, had a profound impact on his years at Truman and his professional career.

Dr. Crump joined the Department of English at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in 1969 and taught there until his retirement in 2011. He served as chair of the Department of English and Philosophy, interim chair of the Department of Modern Languages, interim chair of the Department of Geography and Interdisciplinary Studies and associate provost. Dr. Crump is so well regarded on Central’s campus that in 2014, the Service Award of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences was renamed “The Gail B. Crump Meritorious Service Award” in his honor.

Always connected to his alma mater, Dr. Crump served six years on Truman’s Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the President’s Circle, has been actively involved in the Kansas City Alumni Chapter, and was the Distinguished Service Award recipient in 2015. In 2007, Dr. Crump created the C.V. Huenemann Lectureship in English. He was also a major contributor to the campaign for the Severn’s Theatre, honoring his teacher and mentor. A member of the Joseph Baldwin Society, in his estate plans, Dr. Crump will create the Dr. Gail Crump Scholarship Fund and a second scholarship honoring his late brother, Gary.

Jeff Romine accepts the Bulldog Forever Award from Jeanne Harding (left) and Michelle Mollick, vice president and chapter president, respectively, of the Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter.

Truman’s Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter recently presented Jeff Romine with the chapter’s Bulldog Forever Award at a Rotary Club of Kirksville meeting, Dec. 6. This award recognizes individuals who truly express the Bulldog spirit through their dedication, support and involvement with both the Northeast Missouri Alumni Chapter and Truman State University.

In 2022 and 2023, Romine coordinated chapter efforts with the Rotary Club of Kirksville’s Fly-The-Flag Program. Using Rotary’s existing community contacts and flagpole bases, NEMO chapter volunteers have been able to display more than 100 purple flags in conjunction with Truman’s Family Day and Red Barn Arts & Crafts Festival, Homecoming and spring graduation.

On Tuesday, March 5^th, the multiple Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble, Kansas City Chorale, will perform in Baldwin Auditorium under the direction of Charles Bruffy.

The Kansas City Chorale debuted in 1982 and has been an integral part of the community ever since. Charles Bruffy has been artistic director since 1988 and has brought the choir international recognition. Together they have produced 11 recordings and have performed everywhere from New York City to South Korea.

The performance will be a homecoming for two alumni – Frank Fleschner (’05) and Daniel Hansen (’13, ’15), both Truman music graduates.

Tickets to this and all 2023-24 Lyceum performances are available free of purchase. For more information, visit lyceum.truman.edu.